Thousands of devotees from all over the country and abroad have congregated at the famous Shaktipeeth Kamakhya dham atop the Neelachal hills in Guwahati for the annual Ambubasi mela which begins today.
The doors of the temple will remain closed for next three days from Tuesday in view of the Ambubasi.
The temple will re-open for visitors after the Ambubasi period is over on Saturday next.
AIR Guwahati Correspondent reports that security has been beefed up in and around the temple to thwart any attempt by anti-social elements to disturb the situation.
Police and paramilitary forces are keeping a strict vigil on the movement of the visitors and suspected persons in the temple venue.
The situation is being monitored by installing 24 CCTV cameras in the campus and entrance to the temple.
More than 500 volunteers, including NCC cadets, are being engaged for smooth conduct of the Mela.
Kamakhya Dabottar Board and six Non-governmental organizations are providing food and drinking water for the devotees and tourists during the Mela.
A total of 350 temporary latrines and toilets have been set up for the visitors to the five-day-long Mela that concludes on Saturday next.
The Ambubachi festival, which is closely related to the Tantric cult, is also known as Kamakhya Devi Puja.
According to the Hindu cult, it is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her menstrual cycle during these days and therefore the temple remains closed for three days.
